Many experts in the field of education have called into question why we often provide enrichment opportunities only to our identified gifted students. Traditionally, gifted education programming has consisted of high-interest and dynamic options such as chess and robotics clubs, hands-on problem solving and creativity programs like Odyssey of the Mind and Inventor's Fair, and differentiated curriculum that allows students to learn through interests and learning preferences. Leaders have asked, "Don't all children deserve this level of programming?" On the other hand if all students deserve to learn in an enriched, differentiated curriculum and to develop unique talents, what do gifted or advanced learners need? How do we provide programming that shares with all students the best practices from gifted education while recognizing some students truly have advanced learning needs? How do we meet those needs while raising the levels of achievement for all students? Levels of Service is a progressive answer to these questions.

Levels of Serviceis:

a school-wide model

a commitment to deliberately developing talents in all students

a system that evaluates and meets the needs of students with advanced learning needs, promotes and supports differentiated instruction for all students, and puts the focus on what students can do

a process of organizing and harnessing community resources

a challenge to incorporate creative thinking, critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making on a daily basis (Treffinger et al.,2004)

proven to be effective across the country in large, multicultural, urban school districts

Levels of Service is not:

just for advanced learners

a model that promotes the belief that all children are gifted or advanced